Justin Jackson is a difference maker for North Carolina.

No. 1 Gonzaga (36-1) vs. No. 7 South Carolina (26-10)

Tip: 6:09 p.m. at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

TV: CBS.

WHY THE ZAGS WILL WIN: Mark Few is the pint-size coach on the sideline, but his team’s powers are best displayed in the post when the offense is humming. Look for the Bulldogs to attack on the block early to establish Polish center Przemek Karnowski against South Carolina’s frontcourt anchored by Estonia’s forward Maik Kotsar, who stands 6-foot-10. The Zags can zig thereon, finding the best way to get guard Nigel Williams-Goss going in the lane and on the perimeter. He put up 23 points in the Elite 8 win and can punctuate an impressive March run by leading the Bulldogs into their first national title game Monday night. Few is missing out on fishing season back in Spokane, but his attention is trained squarely on the making the biggest catch Monday night.

WHY THE GAMECOCKS WILL WIN: The Cocks are always game for a physical matchup, and coach Frank Martin’s attack guards are primed to carry the momentum gained at the Garden last weekend. Star the name Sindarius Thornwell in your game program. He is shooting 39% from beyond the arc and averaging 21.6 points per game. If Thornwell’s stroke is effective and the flu-like symptoms that he fought this week aren’t too serious, Darius Rucker’s eyes may be reddening again in Phoenix. Thornwell knows the load he bears, and P.J. Dozier (13 ppg) can be the difference in extending South Carolina’s stay on the national stage. No defense is more difficult to negotiate than the one set up by Martin. There is no disguising the determination his players have shown so far. If Thornwell takes the court well rested Saturday, the ball and the Gamecocks’ bid for a national championship will be in his hands.

PREDICTION: Gonzaga 74, South Carolina 68

Gonzaga has never played in the championship game.

(Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Bulldogs don’t bark much, but the bite can be deadly as Few unleashes his most focused team yet on the raised court. South Carolina proved it belongs in beating Florida last week, but Gonzaga’s combination of toughness and talent means the end roads for the Cocks in Arizona.

No. 1 North Carolina (31-7) vs. No 3 Oregon (33-5)

Tip: 8:49 p.m. at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

TV: CBS

WHY OREGON WILL WIN: The Ducks’ run to the Final Four hasn’t been as shocking as South Carolina’s, but they’ve still taken a number of people by surprise (myself included). Oregon had a tremendous regular season, winning a share of the Pac-12 regular season title behind senior leader and Player of the Year candidate Dillon Brooks. But in the semifinal of the conference tournament, the Ducks lost starting senior forward Chris Boucher to a torn ACL. At 6-10, Boucher was the team’s best rim protector, second-leading rebounder and third-leading scorer before his devastating knee injury. Many believed this would prevent Oregon from making serious noise in the tournament (again, myself included). That couldn’t have been more wrong. The rest of the team has stepped up in major ways.

Sophomore guard Tyler Dorsey has been unconscious shooting the ball from distance in the tournament, hitting 17 of his 26 three-point attempts in the Ducks’ four wins. Brooks has continued to be a force on both ends of the floor, scoring, assisting, rebounding and defending. And perhaps most importantly, 6-9 junior forward Jordan Bell has been an absolute monster inside. Bell grabbed double-digit rebounds in all four NCAA tournament games. He also put up this ridiculous stat line in the Ducks’ dominant 14-point victory over No 1-seed Kansas in the Elite Eight: 11 points, 13 rebounds, eight blocks, four assists. In inspiring fashion, Oregon has overcome an injury that could have derailed their postseason. It’s why they’ll have a shot to beat UNC on Saturday in Glendale. In addition, Tar Heels point guard Joel Berry’s is dealing with two sprained ankles and will not be 100%. He went through a full practice Friday and will play.

The question is how effect he can be. Berry is the engine that makes UNC go, especially offensively. In the Heels’ ACC semifinal loss to Duke, Berry was forced to the bench for most of the second half because of foul trouble. That allowed the Blue Devils to engineer a double-digit comeback and outscore UNC by 17 points in the final 20 minutes. Berry’s presence is key. If he’s substantially hindered by the ankle injuries, that could provide an avenue to victory for the Ducks.

WHY UNC WILL WIN: There is a reason Vegas favors the Tar Heels by 5 points on a neutral floor: They’re arguably the most talented, most athletic and deepest team left in the NCAA tournament. Joel Berry’s dual ankle injuries are a concern, but he told reporters in Arizona that he’s “not going to sit out” the national semifinal against Oregon. Berry also practiced fully Friday and said he’s around “85%” healthy. Regardless, UNC still has the advantage where it matters most. The Heels have better players and more of them. Roy Williams will play many as 11 players. Heck, Luke Maye — a virtually unknown commodity outside of Chapel Hill — was the player who put the Heels into the Final Four with one of the most clutch shots in school history. The sophomore former walk-on scored 16 points in a Sweet 16 win over Butler and followed that up with 17 points against star-studded Kentucky in the Elite Eight. He was named the South Region’s Most Outstanding Player. Before the tournament, Maye had scored in double-digits just three times all season and once in conference play. He’s still only averaging 14 minutes per game.

The point being: UNC has so much depth, there’s no telling where Williams will get contributions, or who will step up in the biggest spotlight. That is the Tar Heel’s biggest advantage entering this matchup. Also, expect Kennedy Meeks to have a big performance after a quiet Sweet 16 and Elite Eight. He’s made his college career on abusing smaller defenders with his polished and fundamentally sound offensive postup game. Jordan Bell has been outstanding in this tournament, but the 6-9 forward will have his hands full with Meeks.

PREDICTION: North Carolina 76, Oregon 71

I just can’t see Oregon handling North Carolina inside. Now, I’ve been wrong about Oregon all tournament. I could have used the same logic to pick Kansas over the Ducks in the Elite Eight, as the Jayhawks boast similar size and athleticism to the Tar Heels. That game came down to Bell and his heroic eight-block performance, providing the rim protection the Ducks desperately needed. Can Bell do that again? I don’t think so. But I also wouldn’t be stunned if Oregon finds a way to pull this game out. The Ducks have displayed their toughness in this tournament. They’ve proven a lot of people wrong — fans, pundits and media members alike. However, I don’t think their toughness will lead them past a more talented squad in North Carolina. Williams will get a chance to coach for his third national title.